asked the Minister for Lands if he will state in respect of South Tipperary:—(1) the total area of land acquired by the Irish Land Commission, (2) the number of acres offered for sale to the commission but not yet acquired, and (3) the number of acres subdivided; further, if portions of these lands will be allocated to (a) local young landless men with capital, and (b) local cottiers who have applied for land.

I regret that the Land Commission have not figures for the particular area mentioned. In the whole County of Tipperary since 1923 the Land Commission have acquired, resumed or taken over approximately 93,800 acres and have allotted some 88,400 acres.

The area of land in South Tipperary offered for sale to the Land Commission and not yet acquired is 1,032 acres on two estates.

As to the second portion of the question, the applications of the classes mentioned at (a) and (b) are always taken into consideration by the Land Commission where land is available after the pressing requirements of the relief of congestion have been met.

Arising out of the Minister's reply to section (a) in connection with the local young landless men with capital, have the Land Commission in the last ten years, under any circumstances, provided holdings for landless men?

The Deputy must ask this with reference to South Tipperary.

It arises out of the question.

It is not a general question. It refers to a particular area. If the Deputy wants to put down a general question he may do so.

The Minister stated their claim was taken into consideration.

This is in respect of South Tipperary, a particular area. It cannot be widened.

Would the Minister consider the advisability of giving land to landless men with capital or the advisability of giving a small portion of land to cottiers where land is being divided?

These two classes are under discussion in connection with the division, but the final selection of allottees is a matter purely for the commissioners.

Has the Minister any function whatsoever in this matter? Is it the Land Commission or the Minister that is the sole authority?

The Land Commission is the only authority that acquires land or allots it.

Every time a question is asked we are told it is the Land Commission has the authority.

That is by an Act of this House. It is this House which has taken this power from me.

It is about time that the Minister was given authority.

asked the Minister for Lands if he will state whether the Land Commission have considered the propriety of acquiring lands at Georgesland, Kilcooley, South Tipperary, and, if so, with what result.

asked the Minister for Lands if he will state whether proposals are under consideration for the acquisition of lands at Georgesland, Kilcooley, South Tipperary, for afforestation purposes, and, if so, the nature of such proposals.

I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 26 and 27 together.

The Land Commission have no proceedings for the acquisition of lands at Georgesland; an agreement has, however, been reached for the purchase by Forestry Division of 111 acres in the townlands of Kilcooley Abbey and Sallybog, near a place known as George's Park.